, 1887-09-07
ARB4D0S9NEWS.
From the Barbados 4;ggif'sicaltaraE Reporter,)
V19AugWSt,

r.. -" .-
The weather for the past fortnight has
been of that character known as " forcing
intensely hot with heavy rains at inter
walls. During the early morning OF the
9th instant there was O. severe thunder
storm, lasting for about three hours. Seven
mules were killed by the lightning at Rock
Hall in St. Peter. With the exception of
Thursday, the 11th, the Anniversary of the
hurricane of 1831-the day set apart for
Public Thanksgiving and Prayer in our
churches-the whole of last week was show
cry. But on Saturday last, between 3 and 5
p. M, we had a perfect downpour. The
rain fell in sheets, and a fall of about two
hours registered over three inches in the
city, and over four inches in the suburbs.
To the end of July I'VE had''about 80 inches
of rain for the yaa4F,T and up to the pre-
sent time. not far from 40finehes, about
three-fourths of which have fallen since
the Oath of May, When the rainy season for
this year may be said to have begun. All
the young crops present a fine appearance.
and the cane crop, particularly, is under a
splendid growth. The " suckers" thrown
up by the cane during the months of June
and July are those upon which the Plant
ers principally depend for. fine saccharine
canes, if these months are followed by a
genial August. So far, WE are glad to say,
these conditions have been fulfilled. And,
although at this time last year the cane
crop was vigorous and healthy, it is GER
tainly much more so this year, and more
uniform, since the coast parishes did
not suffer during the early part of this
year as they did last year. It is true
that in some parts of the island October
shoots are also regarded with much favour;
but these, though large and juicy, are not
so largely charged with saccharine as the
July shoots" It is the opinion of some OF
our knowing planters that, with a continue
ton of the favourable weather, next years
crop will be larger than the large crop of this
year. The quantity of sugar exported to
date has been 63,649 hhds. Sugar, and
40, 435 puns Molasses against 36,572 hhds.
Sugar and 30,540 puns. Molasses at the
corresponding period last year. Despite Re.
ciprocity treaties, there IS q continually in
creasing quantity of sugar being exported to
the United States. We are glad to chronicle
since our last summary, a slight Improvement
in the prices of our local market.
The Indian Corn crop is forward, and some
of it has been already harvested, whilst the
bursting sheaths lofbthe Guinea Corn give
promise of protecting ears which in time will
prove large and =ffdffs= Some damage has,
however, been ,caus6aLto beth these crops,
in some places, but not extensively, by the
''fy." The young yam vines make a pretty
show above the dark fields, although in
some places they seem to have suffered
from the beating force Of the heavy rains.
Potatoes, which form the staple food of our
laborers, are moderately abundant, and are
selling at 70 cents, per 100 lbs, being re-
tailed at the rate Of IA lbs for 10
cents. Owing to the abundant supply
of these roots last year, there has not been
SO extensive ait acreage of them planted this
year but there is a good breadth of young
ones coming. on to be, reaped at the latter
part ofthe year. The. cattle and other stock
are also better off for the genial weather. as
Guinea cornmeat, Imphees and Sour grass,
are fourishing in all directions. The album
dant supply Of this green fodder is not only
an advantage to the stock, but furnishes
some Of the very best material for the maxi
ing up of farnyhrds MARINE hsao saialosl
Despite the loWFpsices of sugar and molas-
ses which have prevailed fog IBthe last three
years, we are 9glad$o say oprnenterprising
planters are still we'll to The 'front.' il the
cultivation of their estates. The fields in
preparation for the cane crop Of 1880. are
fast blackening up, and in many parts Of the
Island are being served with their dressing
of farm yard manure z Everywhere through
out the Island oaresto ba seen fields, either
green with fourishing. young crops, q. black,
O1. te~.oE., r@o4o ~ - ~ 80, I. nr1 -.